Helen Lorna Erickson, better known as Lorna to her family and friends, was born April 19, 1921, at Salem, South Dakota, the daughter of John A. and Helen D. (Ericsson) Erickson.

She grew up in the Unityville, South Dakota, community where she attended grade school prior to graduating from Salem High School.  She graduated from Dakota Wesleyan in Mitchell, South Dakota, in 1942 with a degree in music.

Lorna was united in marriage to Reginald Stechmann in 1944 and to this union was born a son, Eric.

The family made their home in Mitchell, South Dakota; Leadville, Colorado; and Mankato, Minnesota.  While in Mankato, Lorna's husband, Reginald, died in 1951.

Lorna and Eric moved back to the Unityville community.  She returned to Dakota Wesleyan where she received her business degree.  She and Eric moved to Onida, South Dakota, where Lorna taught school for three years.  In 1956 they moved to Philip where she continued to teach.

Lorna was united in marriage to Durward "Dud" Wheeler on November 6, 1957, at Philip, South Dakota, and to this union was born a son, Miles.

They made their home on a ranch southeast of Philip all their married life.  Lorna continued to teach until retiring.

Lorna was a member of the First Lutheran Church where she served as church organist for many years.  She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Chapter #100, of Philip.

Grateful for having shared her life are her husband, Durward "Dud" Wheeler of Philip; two sons, Eric Stechmann and his wife, Kathleen, of Shoreview, Minnesota, and Miles Wheeler and his wife, Jessica, of Philip; two grandchildren, David Stechmann of Shoreview, Minnesota, and Rachel Wheeler of Philip; four brothers, Warren Erickson of Springfield, South Dakota, Morton Erickson of Langford, South Dakota, Darrell Erickson of Rapid City, South Dakota, and Harvey Erickson of Tyndall, South Dakota; and a host of other relatives and friends.

In addition to her first husband, Reginald, she was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers, Walter and Morris Erickson.

A memorial has been established.

Services
Wednesday, December 4, 1996
10:00 a.m.
American Legion Hall
Philip, South Dakota

Officiating
Pastor William Hamill

Music
JoAnne Stilwell - Pianist
First Lutheran Church Choir
"Beautiful Savior"
"Wherever He Leads Me"

Ushers
Gene Michael - Chip Kemnitz - Marvin Cihak

Active Pallbearers
Howard Kennedy - Dennis Kennedy
Charles Ekstrum - Darral Brooks
Robert Ramler - Reinhold Mutcheknaus

Honorary Pallbearers
All relatives and friends in attendance

Interment
Masonic Cemetery
Philip, South Dakota